Platform



May 8, 1923. 1,454,416

E. TOMLINSON ET AL PLATFORM Filed Aug. 17 1921 y JNy/fErx-ro Mh/ ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, E923.

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ASSIGNORS TO EDWARD N. WHITE, J.

LEWIS WYGKOFF, AND JAMES M. EATON,

TRUSTEES, ALL OF EOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLATFORM.

Application filed August 17, 1921. Serial No. 493,052.

To all w hom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDMUND ToMLrNsoN and RICHARD T. GIFFORD, citizens of the United States, residing at Springfield in the county of Ham-pden and State of assachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Platforms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements m transferable load supporting platforms commonly known as platform skids of the type used, in connection with a system of trucking wherein elevating trucks are employed to transport materials supported or carried by these platforms.

Platforms of the general character to .which the present invention relates usually comprise a substantially flat, wooden platform that is supported from the floor by 0 wooden girders arranged in spaced relation beneath the platform to hold the platform a suflicient distance from the floor to allow an elevating truck to be placed thereunder for the elevating of the platform and the load carried thereby.

This system of trucking has brought about the development of trucks that have a capacity for transporting extremely heavy loads and the platforms in use are not sufiieiently strong or otherwise adapted to withstand the heavy duty required of them in transporting the loads conveniently handled by the trucks.

One object of the present invention is the provision of an improved platform that possesses the rigidity and strength necessary to withstand the hard usage to which they are subjected. Another object is the provision of a platform, that while it is strong and rigid in construction, is also comparatively lightin weight in itself and which may be economically manufactured.

To this end the invention consists in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which for descriptive purposes illustrate the present preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the plat form comprising our improved structure.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale showing the connection of the tie members, load support and feet.

The platform 1 preferably comprises a plurality of transverse load supporting members 2, that may be of any width or length desired, depending upon'the use for which the platform is to be'adapted. These members 2 are preferably arranged sothat their adjacent edges are in a closely abutting relation to provide a load support having a comparatively even orsmooth load supporting surface. While we have shown merely for illustrative purposes a. load support comprising a plurality of separate members in close adjacency it is obvious that under certain conditions it may be desirable to employ a plurality of comparativelv narrow members arranged in a spaced relation to form a latticed support, or under other conditions it may be desired to use a load support consisting of a single member.

Tie members 3 for supporting the before mentioned supporting members and for tying them in. their proper relation are provided and preferably comprise angle bars of metal that have depending flange portions 4 and horizontal portions 5 as shown. The members 3 are preferably arranged in a spaced parallel relation adjacent opposite ends of the load supports.

Supporting feet 6 that are in the shape of a U for supporting the structure are provided and preferably comprise integral top portions 7 and vertical web portions 8 that are connected by the sides 10 and 11 to the horizontal foot portions 9. Suitable openings are provided in the portions 7 and 8 of the feet for securing the feet, tie members and load support in a rigid relation.

While we have shown the supporting feet located at opposite ends of the tie members it .is obvious that they may be moved to various locations along the members 3 depending upon the use for which the platform is to be employed.

Bolts 13 having their head portions preferably countersunk or flush with the load said load support an in the horizontal portions 5 of said tie -members and in the top portions 7 of said feet to securely hold the load supporting member 2, tie members 3 and feet 6 together. Additional bolts or rivets 13 also pass through depending portions 4: of the tie members 3 and web portions 8 of the feet which together with the bolts 13 secure said parts rigidly in intertrussed relation. The load support 2 throughout the remainder of its length is also preferably secured to the horizontal portions of the tie members 3 by bolts 14 as shown.

Thus it may be seen that the before described structure furnishes a platform that is rigid in construction and that possesses the maximum of strength and durability and by the rearrangement or relocation of the parts it may be adapted for use in connection with the transporting of various materials or with various types of trucking equipment.

While we have described the invention in the form at present-preferred it will be understood that various changes may be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the invention.

What We claim is- I 1. A transferable. latform comprising in combination, a loa support, longitudinal tie members adjacent each lateral edge of said load support each of which is provided with a horizontal portion secured to said load support and a'depending flange portion, U shaped supporting legs for said platform mounted'adj acent the tie members each of which has a horizontal foot portion and side portions connected at their upper ends by an. integral top portion, a vertical web portion connecting the top and side portions of said leg adjacent the upper end thereof, and means for rigidly securing each leg to the adjacent tie member and load support.

2. A transferable platform comprising in combination, a load support, longitudinal tie members adjacent each lateral edge of said load with a horizontal portion secured to said load supportand a depending flange portion, U shaped supporting legs for said platform mounted adjacent the tie' members each of which has a horizontal foot portion and side portionsconnected at their upper ends by an integral-top portion, a vertical rweb portion connecting the top and side portions of said leg ad acent the upper end thereof, and means for rigidly securing the leg top portion horizontal portion of the tie member and load support together.

3. A transferable platform comprising in combination, a load support longitudinal tie members adjacent each lateral edge of said load support, each of which is provided with a horizontal portion secured to said load support and :1 depending flange portion, U shaped supporting legs for said platform mounted adjacent the tie" members each of which has a horizontal foot portion and side portions connected at their upper ends by an integral top portion, a vertical web portion connecting the top and side portions of said leg adjacent the upper end thereof, means for rigidly securing the leg top portion, horizontal portion of. the tie member and load support, and means for securing the vertical web portions of the legs to the depending flange portions of the tie members.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures.

, EDMUND TOMLINSON. RICHARD T. GIFFORD. 

